PORTLAND, Ore. — A very good boy may have just earned his place in the church choir.
During Mass at The Grotto’s annual Blessing of the Animals on September 20, one husky couldn’t resist joining in when the music began. In a now-viral video filmed by attendee Blanca Gallardo, the pup lets out a series of enthusiastic howls as a priest sings — prompting the priest to walk over and hold a microphone near the furry vocalist.
The moment has become an internet hit, with the Instagram Reel drawing 7.1 million views and 741,000 likes. The husky’s owner and identity were not initially known, though Gallardo said she attended the blessing with her own dog, Phoebe.
The clip’s comments quickly turned the impromptu duet into a heavenly punchline.
One viewer, @kindsi, wrote: “The priest sang, ‘all creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and let us sing’ and the husky said ‘HaleAWOOOOOyah!’”
Honestly, the dog was just following directions.
The Blessing of the Animals took place at 3:30 p.m. in The Grotto Plaza. The annual event welcomes people and pets of all faiths and celebrates the “joy, beauty, love, fidelity, encouragement and comfort” that animal companions bring into people’s lives.
And if this dog had anything to say about it, that comfort apparently comes with a powerful set of lungs.
Today, on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, it seems only right that one enthusiastic husky reminded everyone at Mass that all creatures are invited to lift up their voices, even if that voice is an awe-inspiring “awoooo.”